Vatican Secretary of State in Cuba, to Meet with Raul Castro

Vatican Secretary of State in Cuba, to Meet with Raul Castro
By VOA News
21 February 2008

The Vatican's secretary of state is in Cuba for a visit in which he is
to meet with Raul Castro, Cuba's interim leader and potential new president.

Bertone's visit is marking the 10th anniversary of the late Pope John
Paul's trip to Cuba. That journey helped warm relations strained by
Cuban leader Fidel Castro when he expelled Catholic priests following
his 1959 revolution.

During Betrone's six-day trip, he is to travel to eastern and central
Cuba and hold a mass in Guantanamo.

On Monday, he is to meet Mr. Castro's younger brother, Raul, who is
likely to be named Cuba's new president on Sunday.

Raul Castro has been acting president since his brother underwent
surgery in 2006.

Fidel Castro, 81, announced earlier this week that he plans to step down
after 49 years in power.

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